Technical degrees and higher vocational education

Hordern, J (2017) 'Technical degrees and higher vocational education.' Research in Post-Compulsory Education, 22 (1). pp. 87-106. ISSN 1359-6748

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Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/13596748.2016.1272080

Abstract

This paper focuses on the proposals for the introduction of ‘technical degrees’ in English higher education institutions advanced by the Labour Party’s Liam Byrne in a document entitled ‘Robbins Rebooted’ which was published in August 2014 by the Social Market Foundation. The context and rationale for the proposed technical degrees is discussed, identifying assumptions and implications of the proposed policy. Drawing on studies of related workforce development and higher vocational initiatives, potential problems that could arise with the implementation of the policy are outlined. This leads on to a discussion on whether the curriculum that technical degrees would offer would be an adequate preparation for work and whether the qualifications in themselves would achieve as much credibility as alternative routes through higher education. In the event, the opportunity to introduce technical degrees in the form advanced by Byrne did not arise, as the Labour Party lost the general election in 2015 and did not return to office.

Item Type: Article
Keywords: technical education, higher vocational, higher education policy
Subjects: L Education > L Education (General)
L Education > LB Theory and practice of education
Divisions: School of Education
Identification Number: https://doi.org/10.1080/13596748.2016.1272080
Date Deposited: 23 May 2017 10:37
Last Modified: 15 Aug 2021 09:46
URI / Page ID: https://researchspace.bathspa.ac.uk/id/eprint/9547
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